After nearly three years of talks behind closed doors, cooler heads have prevailed. Not a bad idea, since summer is quickly approaching.

Phil Wright, chairman of the board of directors for Russellville's water utility, City Corp., and Len Cotton, chairman of the board of directors for the Tri County Regional Distribution District, signed a water-purchase agreement Tuesday morning that brought months of discussions to a positive resolution between representatives and members of the two utilities. The only item that remains before the agreement goes into effect is three consecutive readings by the Russellville City Council.

"The agreement puts in place a methodology to calculate rates," City Corp. general manager Craig Noble said. "It addresses all components of rate structure. It has the methodology of conflict resolution. I think both parties have shown a willingness to work together, and as a result, we have a signed agreement by both chairmen.

This thing is coming together. I'm not going to say it was easy. There's times I think Harry [Willard, Tri County], John [Choate, Tri County] and I, all of us didn't think it was going to happen. But we can tell you today that this aspect is done. It still must be approved by the Russellville City Council before it goes into effect."

During Tuesday's joint meeting at Tri County's headquarters between Russellville and Dover on Scenic Highway 7 north, Russellville alderman and former mayor Phil Carruth told the members of both boards he would work on getting the agreement on June's council agenda for discussion by council members. He said it will be ready three times in case residents have any input.

Willard, Tri County's general manager, said he was glad the day had finally come after about three years and called the days and weeks of meeting with City Corp. reps a learning experience.

"We came in and left with as friends during our meetings with City Corp.," Willard said. "Also as a result of this agreement, we are going to try to be closer in the future and do our best to work together in the future. We want to show the people of Russellville we have the ability to work together.

"I am not aware of any large concerns," Carruth told the utility representatives. "As a matter of fact, I am not aware of any small concerns [from the city council]."

Tri County will restructure its rates for the first time since it opened in 1983. The water utility had 1,800 customers in 1994, and 7,000 water customers in 2007. Revenues have also climbed from $800,000 in 1994 to $3.5 million in 2007.

City Corp. agreed to sell Tri County water at a cost of $1.06 per 1,000 gallons, and after June, that rate will increase slightly due to treatment costs. The two utilities will meet annually to calculate their adjusted rates, and every three years to set the rate structure.

The water utilities will have to undergo three steps in the future in case of any disputes: 1) One board member and one manager from City Corp. and Tri County will form a committee. If that doesn't resolve the dispute, then 2) a neutral mediator will be hired to conduct business between the two utilities. If that doesn't work, a three-person arbitration panel will be created to hear the disputes and rule.

"I think, or hope, everybody is looking at this and going, they had dialogue and settled their differences," Noble said. "There's dialogue going on between City Corp. and the city of Dover. There's dialogue going on between the cities of Russellville and Dardanelle. The winners are the ratepayers of Tri County, the ratepayers of City Corp., as well as the taxpayers in our respective areas."

In addition, City Corp. will provide water service to residents in the Cove Landing/Gum Log areas, while Tri County will continue to provide sewer services. City Corp. will also improve the infrastructure of the water systems in the area, including a new pumping station. Tri County must also gain approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development, since the utility has a lean on the property from the government agency.

"I think for our customers, as well as City Corp., I think we've learned to work together," Willard said. "I hope we've restored confidence in the two utilities to the people in the city. We now have a document that says three things: How we will go about calculating water rates in the future; it determines how much water we can have each year, and also has steps to resolve any future problems if they come up.

"You all [City Corp.] have kind of taken over the role of being the supplier for the regional area. We're the regional distribution district, and they're the supplier, so we've learned to share each other's interests. Another thing I like about this is we've been sitting and talking about this for nearly three years, and we can still shake hands, go to each other's meetings, and go out and eat if we want. We can all benefit from it."

Noble said he was asked last week if he got everything, and he said no, he didn't get everything he wanted on behalf of the ratepayers of City Corp. Noble went on to say Willard and Choate could say the same thing on behalf of their Tri County ratepayers.

"But to negotiate, you've got to give a little to get a little," Noble said. "This is where we're at."